I use 84 grains of ramshot magnum and a 100 grain Nosler BT good for 3950FPS out of my 30 inch 257stw. I also use 80 grains of ramshot magnum and a 110 accubond. Remember to reduce 10% and work up and have fun.

I have Layne Simpson's article For Shooting Times on the 257STW.Shoot me a pm with your address and I'll send you a copy of his data.Hopefully, my smith will complete my 257STW in a couple of weeks and we can compare reloading results.
Brute

wildcat,
No body makes brass other than WW or Remington for 7 STW. Even Nosler loads their custom ammo in 7STW using WW brass. There has been some Federal loaded ammo using using 150 Nosler that was cheap last year, I think it is still avaiable (but not as cheap) from Midway. The STW is the 8mm Rem Mag case necked up or down.

Wildcat
Been shooting the 7 STW since it was a "wildcat".I've used all kinds of factory brass Win, Rem., Fed, plus formed it from several other rounds.In my experience Win 7STW brass serves me well.I've got one lot I've loaded 7 times and primer pockets are still fine.Course I don't run on the ragged edge with my charge weights/pressures.I've found the "7" to be easy to get to perform accuracy wise and nice and flat at "my" hunting ranges(400-600yds-max)I realize this is short to med. range for this group of hunters,but see no reason 168 Bergers at 3000-3100 won't work on out to long range. I hope to have similar luck with the 25 STW.Time will tell.Good luck on your build whichever caliber you go with and keep us posted.
Brute

I agree that factory 7 STW brass is the way to go.The necking up or down plus fireforming is a total pain.However some folks are less than thrilled with the quality of available 7 STW headstamped brass.Also some of the first rifles chambered for STW (when it was still a "cat")varied in dimensions due to reamer specs differing slightly.So in search of a better mousetrap,so to speak, we tried a lot of different recipes.With brass available now I see no reason to spend time ,components ,and barrel life to form brass from other sources.But, heres the catch. 7 STW brass is a little scarce at times.It is my understanding that Win and Rem have designated it a seasonal item which means it isn't readily available year round.Being this is the best route to 257 STW (necking down 7 STW)if you find it you might ought to buy it.One other option for STW brass 7 and 257 is Quality Cartridge Brass from Midway,but it is kinda expensive and I've heard less than glowing reports about the quality.That being said I plan to try a sample for 257 STW and see for myself.If anyone has tried Quality Cartridge Brass I'd be lnterested in your opinions.
Brute

Brute, I have heard about the same /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif, on the Quality Cartridge Brass for the 257 STW and for that reason I have not tried it. If anyone has used any please keep us posted with your results.

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My family and I welcome you. I started LRH back in 2001 to provide a friendly place where like-minded individuals could share information and ideas to help take their long range shooting and hunting to the next level.